Springfield, Greene County – New mid-block pedestrian crossings in two locations on Glenstone Avenue in Springfield will make it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy five-lane street when they go into full operation starting Wednesday morning, September 14, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Opening rescheduled due to construction delays.

The crossings are located between just south of I-44 and just north of Cinderella/Portland Street.

Here’s how the new pedestrian crossings will operate:

When a pedestrian wishes to cross Glenstone, they must push a button on the crosswalk signs to activate flashing yellow lights

The lights will begin flashing to warn approaching vehicles to slow down and prepare to stop at the crosswalk to allow pedestrian to safely cross Glenstone Avenue

The lights flash for 18 seconds which gives enough time for the pedestrian to make it safely to the center turn lane where concrete medians have been installed as a safe zone

The pedestrian must push another button on the median crosswalk sign to activate the flashing lights to complete their passage to the opposite side of the street

Drivers are urged to slow down and stop when they see the crosswalk lights flashing. Missouri law requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks.

Pedestrians are highly encouraged to use the new crosswalks as a safer way to cross Glenstone Avenue. They also should use extreme caution when using the new mid-block crossings to ensure that vehicles are stopped before they enter the crosswalk and cross the street.

The new pedestrian crossings were installed on Glenstone Avenue where traffic studies showed a higher than average number of vehicle versus pedestrian incidents and where a large number of pedestrians cross the five lane street.

The pedestrian crossings are part of a larger project to add a second right-turn lane at the eastbound off ramp from I-44 to southbound Glenstone Avenue and make other sidewalk improvements in areas along Glenstone Avenue.

Ewing Signal Construction of Nixa is the prime contractor, doing the work for a low bid amount of $492,545.